Top roll for fiber attenuating apparatus



Dec. 2Q, 955 E. P. WAITE TOP ROLL. FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 5, 1953 N.m.NrWN mw N mv w QM s sw Dec. 20,1955 E. P. WAITE TOP ROLL. FOR FIBER ATTEINUATING APPARATUS Filed June5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent'Otiice 2,727,28 PatentedDec. 20, 1955 Edwin P. Waite, Columbus, Ga., assignor to ColeEngineering Corporation, a corporation of Georgia Application .lune 5,1953, Serial No. 359,793

15 Claims. (Cl. 19-142) This invention relates to a top roll for liberattenuating apparatus such as drawing frames, spinning frames, rovingframes, slubbers, and the like and is an improvement over the generaltype of top roll described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,621,374,issued December 16, 1952.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a top roll for berattenuating apparatus which shallembody an improved tension type sealeffective to retain lubricant within the bearing areas and prevent theentry of foreign matter thereinto, thus resulting in greater precisionand longer trouble-free life for the roll.

Another object of my invention is to provide atop roll of the characterdesignated which shall embody simple means for relubricating thebearings thereof without disassembly.

A still further object of my invention is Vto provide a top roll of thecharacter designated which 'shall be liexible in design, thus adaptingthe same for variations in length and spacing to duplicate the varioussizes of solid type rolls now in use and whereby with other moditcationsit is adapted for use in modern type frames which employ arms to whichthe top rolls are attached, thus eliminating roll end caps and slottedcap bars which have been employed heretofore to hold the rolls inposition.

Briefly my improved top roll embodies a cylindrical barrel rotatablymounted on a spindle by means of roller bearings. A removable cot ismounted on the barrel by means of a split shell member which ts withtension around the barrel and is retained thereon by depressions in theshell that engage a recess on the barrel. A flexible washer-shaped sealis attached adjacent its outer circumference to the barrel with theinner circumference thereof bearing slidably against a member concentricwith the spindle. Lubricant is added to the bearings, at long intervalsof service, by providing an oil inlet in the barrel intermediate thebearings.

Top rolls embodying features of my invention are illus` trated in theaccompanying drawing forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a top roll made in accordance with myinvention, partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly broken away and in section,showing a slightly modified form of my invention; i Fig. 3 is asectional view taken on the line III-HI of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the circular spring which serves tolock the thrust washer shown in Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly broken away `and in section,showing a still further modified form of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing for a 4better understanding of myinvention, l show a cylindrical barrel 10. Pressed within opposite endsof the' barrel 10 are cylindrical bearing holders 11 and 12 havinginturned annu'- i lar ianges 13 and 14 at the inner ends thereof andoutturned annular anges 16 and 17 at the outer ends thereofrespectively. The out-turned flanges 16 and 17 engage the outer ends ofthe barrel 10 thereby accurately positioning the holders 11 and 12therein. Pressed into the bearing holders 11 and 12 are cylindricalbearing races 18 and 19 having inturned annular flanges 21 and 22respectively at the inner ends thereof which form roller retainers. Thelianges 21 and 22 give added strength to the races 18 and 19 and arespaced axially from each other so as to provide a space 23 for receivinga lubricant when the roll is assembled.

Mounted within each of the races 18 and 19 are a plurality of rollers24. Passing through the barrel 10 and contacting the rollers 24 is aspindle 26. It will be noted that the spindle 26 does not contact theinturned anges 21 and 22, thus providing a passageway for lubricant tofeed to the rollers. To limit lateral movement of the rollers 24 and thebearing races 18 and 19, retaining washers 27 and 28 are pressed snuglyinto the outer ends of the bearing holders 11 and 12 respectively.Surrounding the spindle 26 and bearing against the retaining washers 27and 28 respectively, are thrust washers 29 and 31.

Pressed over the ends of the spindle 26 are cup-shaped end caps 32 and33 which flare outwardly adjacent the inner ends thereof, as at 34 for apurpose to be described hereinafter. The inner ends of the end caps bearagainst the thrust washers 29 and 31 respectively with a close runningtit, thus locking the unit together.

Surrounding the end caps 32 and 33 and slidably engaging the tiaredportion 34 thereof are annular sealing members 36 and 37 respectively.Preferably, the sealing members are formed of a resilient material, suchas oil resistant rubber moulded on each side of a woven material.Fitting against the outer surface of the sealing members 36 and 37adjacent the outer circumference thereof are annular lock members 38 and39.

The outer surface of the barrel 10 is provided with recesses 41 and 42at opposite ends thereof for receiving, with a press iit, annularcup-shaped housing members 43 and 44 respectively. The housing members43 and 44 have inturned anges 46 adjacent the outer ends thereof whichengage the lock members 38 and 39, thus holding them in place againstthe sealing members. To limit inward movement of the housing members 43and 44 and to obtain the desired pressure on the sealing members 36 and37 internal shoulders 47 are provided on the housing members 43 and 44which engage the out-turned langes 16 and 17 of the bearing holders. Asshown in Fig. 1 the inside diameters of the lock members 38 and 39 aresmaller than the inside diameters of the portions of the annular flanges16 and 17 which bear against the sealing members 36 and 37, thuspermitting the inner edges of the sealing members to be forced againstthe flared portions 34 of the end caps with the desired tension.

To relubricate the bearings after long intervals of service, a vthreadedopening 48 is provided in the barrel intermediate the annular ilanges 21and 22 ofthe bearing races. Fitting Within the opening 48 is a threadedflat head plug 49, the upper surface of which lies below the outersurface of the barrel.

The assembly described above constitutes a roll unit, with the exceptionof the cot. To form a complete top roll a connecting sleeve member 51 ispressed over the end caps 32 and 33 of adjacent units. Inward move'-ment of the sleeve member 51 is limited by a shoulder 52 formed on theouter surface -of the end caps.

Fitting over the barrel 10 is a sleeve member or shell 53 having aninner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the barrel 10'and housings-43 and 44. The shell 53 is slit longitudinally as at 54and is provided with one or more inwardly extending depressions 56. Asshown in Fig. 1, the housings 43 and 44 terminate short of the innerVends of the recesses 41v and 42, thus leaving an annular recess forreceiving the depressions 56. While'I show the depressions 56 as ttingin the recesses 41 and 42, it will'be apparrent that other grooves maybe provided in the surface o'f the barrel 10 for receiving thedepressions.

Secured to the shell 53 by any suitable means, such as by cement, is acot 57 formed of a suitable material such as rubber, leathers, a moldedcomposition or a synthetie combination. Preferably, the outer surface ofthe shell 53 is provided with a sand blast nish to receive the cementWhile the inner surface thereof is smooth. The longitudinally extendingslit 54 allows the shell to expand, thus permitting the'depressions 56to be pressed over the housings 43 and 44 into the recesses 41 and 42.After the depressions 56 move into the recesses, the shell 53 contractsand the inner surface thereof lits with tension around the barrel 10 andhousings 43 and 44. With the shell thus attached to the barrel, morethan normal operating pressures are required to move it with relation tothe barrel.

In Fig. 2, I show a slightly modified form of my invention in which thetop roll is adapted for use on frames where means of end support oralignment of the roll are not provided. The top rolls of such frames areheld in place by means of arms which are attached adjacent the center ofthe shaft between the cots. The sealing member 36, lock member 38 andthe end cap 32 are eliminated. The spindle indicated at 26a is shorterthan spindle 26 and is provided with an annular groove 59 adjacent athrust washer 29a for receiving a circular spring member 61 formed of aresilient material such as spring steel wire. The spring member 61 bearsagainst the thrust washer 29a so as to limit lateral movement of thebarrel. The thrust washer 29a fits about the spindle 26a with a closerunning fit.

Pressed over the end of the barrel and frictionally eri- 1 gaging therecess 41 is a cup-shaped housing member 43a which seals that end of theunit with a fluid tight it. The end cap 33 is pressed into the .sleevemember 51 as described above and in all other respects the constructionis the same as that shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

In Fig. 5 I show a further modiedform of my invention in which thespindle indicated at 26b is of a length to extend through adjacentrolls, thus forming a single continuous spindle for the rolls. Spindleis'adapted for use on rolls having end. caps 32 and 33 Vat opposite endsthereof, I find that it is particularly adapted for use on rolls havingno end caps at the outer ends thereof due to the fact that such rollsare supported only at thecenter and the continuous spindle maintains theroll in vabsolute alignment and reinforces the spindle between thebarrels.

Fitting over the spnidle 26b is a spacer sleeve member 51a havingoutwardly ared portions 34a at opposite ends thereof against whichthe'tlexible seals 36 -and 37 bear. By this construction the center endcaps are eliminated. In assemblying the roll the lock members 38 and 39and the housing members 43 and 44 yare positioned on the sleeve member51a inwardly of the llared portions 34a and the ilexible seals 36 and 37are slipped over the ilared portions. The lock members and the housingmembers are then assembled as described above, thus securing theflexible seals in position.

From the foregoing it will be seen .that Ihave devised an improved toproll for liber atteuuating apparatus. By attaching the sealing members36 and 37 adjacent the outer circumferences thereof to the .barrel withthe While this type of fact that the centrifugal force exerted by therotary motion' of the barrel tends to throw the lubricantaway from theshaft and the tlared portion of the end caps. Accordingly, less tensionis required between the sealing members and the end caps, thus resultingin less friction and assuring longer trouble free life for the bearings.Also, the provision of removable cots which do not vibrate or creepgreatly simplifies the builng and replacement of top rolls. A long'lifefor the bearings is assured further by providing a grease reservoirtogether with means for adding lubricant after long intervals Vofservice.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious tothose skilled 4in the art that it is not so limited, but is suceptibleof various changes and moditications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A top roll for liber attenuating apparatus comprising a spindle, acylindrical barrel assembly mounted for rotation on each end of thespindle, an outwardly tapered member surrounding the spindle adjacent atleast one end of each of said barrel assemblies, thrust elements in theassembly inwardly of said tapered member limiting axial movement of thebarrel assembly relative to the spindle, an annular flexible sealingmember surrounding said outwardly tapered member stressed to assume yaconical shape with its inner peripheral edge pressed axially againstsaid tapered member, and means securing `said sealing member along itsrouter edge to the said barrel assembly adjacent the end thereof.

` the spindle, lannular inner surfaces thereof slidably engaging the,ared porl.

tion .ofthe end caps, a more positive seal is made. .This constructionis particularly advantageous in view of the 2. Apparatus as defined inclaimfl in which the spindle is unitary and in which a spacer sleevesurroundsy the spindle between the barrel assemblies and is providedwith outwardly tapered end portions adjacent the barrel assemblies.A

3. Apparatus as defined in claim l in which the spindle is in two partswith a connecting sleeve member joining the parts together.

4. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus cornprising a spindle, acylindrical barrel assembly mounted for rotationon said spindle, Acupshaped end cap members pressed over opposite ends of said spindle andhaving outwardly ilaring portions adjacent the open ends thereof, thrustelements inwardly of said end caps limiting `axial movement of thebarrel assembly relative to flaring sealing members surrounding said-endcap members and stressed to bear axially against said outwardly flaringportions with a sliding fit, and means securing said sealing membersadjacent their outer perimeters to 'the ends of said barrel assembly.

5.A A top roll for liber attenuating apparatus comprising a cylindricalbarrel having a spindle extending therethrough, cylindrical bearingretainer members pressed into opposite ends of -said barrel, inturnedilanges at the inner ends of said retainer members, out-turned annularflanges at the outer ends of said Vretainer members engaging the ends ofsaid barrel, rollers within said retainer members, there being a spacedefined between said inturned llanges of the retainers 4for receivinglubricant and a vspace defined between said inturned ilanges and thespindle for feeding the lubricant to the rollers, washers surroundingsaid spindle and bearing against the bearing retainer members to limitlateral movement of said rollers, and sealing means between said spindleand the ends of saidbarrel retaining the lubricant within the vbearingareas and preventing the entry of foreign matter thereinto. v.

6. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 5 inwhich the sealing means comprises outwardly tapered .portions von thespindle adjacent the ends of the barrel, annular .sealing memberssurrounding and bearingagainst said tapered portions with a sliding t,and means securing said sealing members adjacent their outer perimetersto the ends of said barrel.

7. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim 6 in whichan opening is provided in the barrel intermediate the inturned anges ofthe bearing races for introducing lubricant.

8. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus comprising a cylindricalbarrel having a spindle extending therethrough, cylindrical bearingholders pressed into opposite ends of said barrel, nturned annular angesat the inner ends of said holders, out-turned annular anges at the outerends of said holders engaging the ends of said barrel, cylindricalbearing races within said holders having inturned annular anges at theinner ends thereof, rollers within said bearing races, retaining washerspressed Within the outer ends of said bearing holders and bearingagainst the bearing races to limit lateral movement of said rollers,thrust washers surrounding said spindle and bearing against theretaining washers, and cup-shaped end cap members pressed over the endsof said spindle and contacting said thrust washers with a close runningt.

9. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim 8 in whicha connecting sleeve member ts over the end caps of adjacent rolls, thusjoining a plurality of top roll assemblies.

10. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim 8 inwhich the end cap members have outwardly ared portions adjacent the openends thereof and annular exible sealing members surround the outwardlyared portions with a sliding t and are secured adjacent the outerpen'meters thereof to the out-turned anges of the bearing holders.

11. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim l0 inwhich the sealing members are secured to the out-turned anges of thebearing holders by means of cup-shaped housing members which are pressedover opposite ends of the barrel.

12. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus comprising a cylindricalbarrel having a spindle therethrough, cylindrical bearing holderspressed into opposite ends of said barrel and having out-turned annularanges at the outer ends thereof engaging the ends of said barrel,cylindrical bearing races within said bearing holders and havinginturned annular anges at the inner ends thereof, rollers within saidbearing races, retaining washers pressed within the outer ends of saidbearing holders and bearing against the bearing races, thrust washerssurrounding said spindle and bearing against the outer surface of saidretaining washers, cup-shaped end caps having outwardly flaring openends pressed on opposite ends of said spindle and contacting said thrustwashers with a close running t, annular exible sealing members bearingagainst said out-turned anges on the bearing holders and surrounding theinner ends of said end cap members with a sliding t, annular lockmembers adjacent the outer circumferences of said sealing members, therebeing recesses in the outer surface of said barrel at opposite endsthereof, and cup-shaped housing members disposed to t over the ends ofsaid barrel in said recesses and bear against said lock members.

13. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim 12 inwhich the inside diameters of the lock members are smaller than theinside diameters of the portions of said out-turned annular anges whichbear against said sealing members.

14. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim l2 inwhich the cup-shaped housing members are provided with shoulders on theinner surfaces thereof which engage the out-turned anges of the bearingholders, thus limiting inward movement of the housing members.

15. A top roll for ber attenuating apparatus as dened in claim 12 inwhich a split shell member having a cot secured to the outer surfacethereof is pressed over the barrel and in which the shell member isprovided with inwardly directed depressions which t in the recesses insaid barrel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,161,003 Berman June 6, 1939 2,621,374 Waite Dec. 16, 1952 2,674,012Noelting Apr. 6, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 274,427 Great Britain Oct. 27,1927 523,854 Great Britain July 24, 1940 657,559 Great Britain Sept. 19,1951

